[04/05/10 - 02:05 PM]USA Network Introduces @tedonTVTed Linhart, the USA's vice president of program research, can be found on Twitter @TedOnTV.

[via press release from USA]

USA NETWORK INTRODUCES @TEDONTV

NETWORK VP TED LINHART GIVES TV COMMENTARY A NEW VOICE ON TWITTER

Answering the Call of Digitally Savvy Audiences, USA Expands on Use of Social Media to Raise the Pulse of Its Character

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - April 5, 2010 - To fulfill the audience's desire for rapid inside information at their fingertips, USA Network fans now have even more of a direct line to the network via Twitter from Ted Linhart, the USA 's vice president of program research, at "@TedOnTV." Tapping into USA's social media fanbase, which already includes nine show-related Twitter feeds, Linhart will tweet about all things USA, including current hit show production, developing series and breaking news, with an offbeat sense of humor. He will also report on everything from red carpet events to senior staff meetings, and will reward followers with autographed giveaways and exclusive show memorabilia. A walking encyclopedia of TV programming information and overall smarts, Linhart will also tweet about the overall television landscape, including his favorite shows, awards show commentary and, naturally, ratings.

"Being a fan of TV my whole life, I knew how fun it would be for fans to hear the kind of information you can only get from the inside, from someone who attends the meetings and hears what is really going on in the heart of the network," said Linhart. "With @TedOnTV, my followers will definitely get a unique perspective from a fellow fan in a way that was never available to them before."

Born and raised in Manhattan, Linhart attended The Dalton School on the Upper East Side, where his classmates included future USA star Mark Feuerstein ("Royal Pains"). Linhart has degrees from Northwestern University for both undergraduate and graduate school, earning an MBA from the university's Kellogg Graduate School of Management. After graduation, Linhart worked in the programming department at Chicago's WPWR-TV (UPN affiliate), followed by jobs at several entertainment-related internet companies. In 2004, he returned to TV in the research department at VH1, joining USA in 2005 as senior director in program research before being promoted to vice president in 2008.

Passionate about TV content and ratings for as long as he can remember, Linhart began memorizing TV schedules and grids when his peers were focusing on sports stats and scores. He was an avid fan of Variety at age ten; at thirteen, his hero was Brandon Tartikoff, a clear indication of the path he would follow professionally. Linhart collects TV memorabilia and among the many items in his cherished collection are Desi Arnaz's autobiography inscribed to Desi's mother, a pristine copy of the first issue of TV Guide and a ticket to attend NBC's first official television broadcast when President Roosevelt opened the 1939 World's Fair. Linhart lives in Brooklyn with his wife Rachel and his two cats, Sonny and Cher.

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 98.5 million U.S. homes. A division of NBC Universal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.